After graduating from Medina High School, Judge Schafer earned an associate’s degree as class valedictorian from Brooks College in California. She spent many years working in the private sector and operating her own businesses before graduating summa cm laude from Hiram College and then completing the dual-degree program at the University of Akron, graduating with Master of Business Administration and Juris Doctorate degrees. During this time, she was elected to the Copley-Fairlawn City Schools Board of Education and, after passing the bar exam, opened her own law practice. She served many years as a Court Appointed Special Advocate and Guardian ad Litem in many courts. She was elected to the Copley-Fairlawn City Schools Board of Education four times, serving fourteen years, and eventually was elected by her peers to the Ohio School Boards Association’s Board of Trustees and Executive Committee. She also became a foster parent for 15 years, caring for over 30 children. Finally, Judge Schafer expanded her family when she adopted three children she had been fostering. Judge Schafer was elected as a Judge in the Akron Municipal Court in November of 2013. The following November, she was elected to the Ninth District Court of Appeals for a term starting in February 2015 and ending in February 2021. She is active in numerous community activities. She is also a member of the Akron, Medina County, and Ohio State Bar Associations. Judge Schafer has four children, including Morgan Schafer McKee, an attorney, wife and mother to Judge Schafer’s grandsons.
